My Inspiration for the New Year...

Sunday, January 4, 2009

There are some days which start in a very ordinary way and then become very special because of something that happens which touches you, moves you, inspires you and motivates you.

Today was one of those days.

It started like any other day. I went to my office as usual and checked my office mail. Then I opened my gmail account to check my mails. I found a mail from an id I did not recognize and a subject which made me curious.

I opened it and I found a note from the Chairman of IIChE (Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers). It was an invite for the inaugural lecture of a series of annual lectures the IIChE is going to conduct starting this year. The first lecture is on ‘Chandrayaan I and team building’ and will be given by the Director, SHAR, ISRO on the 14th of Jan in Cochin.

This email has come to me because the lecture series is established in the memory of my father, almost 15 years after his demise.

View the Invite!

I am a very proud daughter today.

It is an honour to know that my father is remembered even after so many years. It feels wonderful to know that in the short time that he had, with the limited audience that he had, he still made a difference.

Today was the first working day of the New Year and I could not ask for anything more inspirational or motivating than this. It made me want to stop living life one day to another. It made me want to learn more, share knowledge and contribute in what little way I can to the world. Our parents worked hard to make the world a better place for us to live. Shouldn’t we do the same for our children?

As a daughter, I felt overwhelmed and emotional.

My father was always the most special person in my life and now I missed him again. He passed away when I was only 19. Being an only child, he was my friend with whom I used to watch TV and movies, listen to music and play games. He was the friend to whom I used to tell all the pranks the boys played in class (which he used to promptly repeat to them when they came home!!!).

But I have always felt deprived because I did not know him after I became an adult, a family woman, a professional. When I see how people remember him professionally, I want to know him better and learn from him. I want to discuss his work and my work with him. I want to know his philosophy on life, family, relationships, religion.

But then again, I think. Maybe it is wonderful this way too. I shall not have to remember him as an ordinary person. I shall not have to remember him as an old man who forgets things. I shall always be able to remember him as a brilliant person who could talk about anything under the sun, who scored a 100 in every mathematics paper from class I to Engg final year, who could answer all my questions, my idol on the pedestal.

But….I miss him so much!

7 other wanderers:

Reflections said...

Ur post is so simple but goes so deep into the heart.

I really dont knw what to say here......except that I can presume to imagine how u must have felt.
Your father sounds exceptional...I'm so sorry abt ur loss...its a heartbreak we never ever completely recover from.

God Bless!!!!!!!!

Reflections said...

Are u feeling better now....from the cold, I mean??????

WannabeWriter said...

@reflections: Thanks..you said the right things! He WAS exceptional! :)
And I feel much better..thank you...and it was just GREAT talking to you...though my lack of voice might not have expressed it!!! ;)

Anonymous said...

I really liked reading this post, it's very beautiful...
Having lost my mom, I have an idea what it all feels like...
Did you attend? Will you write about it?

Vaidegi J said...

Though i dont know much about you, i could sense the pain you mustve gone through, and even now feel the huge loss. Sorry about that. It mustve been such a special relationship, and your memories must be very dear. And such instances do tend to strengthen the link you have, i think.

WannabeWriter said...

@Agnes: Thanks. I could not go... but I will write about how it went... soon...

@onlooker:Hey..long time! :)Thanks for your words..

Anonymous said...

Understand. I am looking forward to reading it.

 
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